Archive for June, 2017

The joyful art of stand-up comedy had yet another controversy this week as Iliza Shlesinger outraged both comedians and comedy fans with some pointed opinions in a recent interview. Were Iliza’s comments about female comedians off-base or was there some merit to her statements about originality and audience’s expectations? Should you really be proud of a World War II joke? Joel investigates with the help of Corey Hall and the returning Ted Moss. Ted is a fan of Iliza’s and thinks she’s getting a bad rap. Joel thinks she’s talented but also shares his experience working with Iliza a few years back and is not surprised that this happened at all. The guys discuss advantages and pitfalls of being a hot chick in comedy, and why the most important thing is show business is to be easy to work with. Also, I’m Dying Up Here on Showtime continues to get it wrong, a second look at La La Land, doing a podcast with the power out, and a review of Saving Banksy on Netflix. Plus, Corey has seen the latest Steve Harvey abomination. Piece of advice: when you’re in the Funderdome, don’t look him in the eye.

I’m Dying Up Here is one of the great books ever written about stand-up comedy. Unfortunately, the Showtime TV adaptation does it little justice according to Joel’s review of the first episode. There’s a few real-life correlations, but the fictionalization of the true story of the 1970s comedy scene comes off dull and uninspired. Hear why it’s too much like HBO’s Vinyl, and why moving a key element of the original story from the end to the beginning ruins the tension. Also, a former guest of this show appears on the show – naked! Listen to find out who it is. Also, Bill Maher and Kathy Griffin get in trouble for their jokes as Joel and Corey Hall debate which is worse for the country – the actual Trump presidency or the insane reaction of his opponents to it. Plus, a famous comic shows up unannounced at the Comedy Castle, Joel thinks pro wrestling terminology can explain how the world works, Planet Earth 2 is the most amazing film ever shot and Get Me Roger Stone on Netflix is a fair, honest assessment of a complete asshole.